Master Classes are in-depth, interactive learning experiences focused on craft and career building and led by renowned industry experts. Topics include fiction and documentary filmmaking, TV writing and production, and navigating and succeeding in the entertainment industry.



Looking to get your documentary film off the ground? Does fundraising feel like an insurmountable task? In this three-hour Master Class, Director of Industry and Catalyst Caroline von Kuhn is joined by producers, funders and industry experts who demystify the process and offer an overview of the current funding landscape, strategy and tactics for emerging filmmakers looking to fund their next project.


Resources:

Download the list of resources from Caroline von Kuhn, Anna Godas, Jessica Devaney, Noland Walker and  Carrie Lozano



Topics presented will include:

    00:00 Welcome and Introduction from Sundance Collab

    06:15 Introduction from Caroline von Kuhn

    12:30 The Current Distribution Landscape and Funding Pathways with Anna Godas

    30:30 Working with a Sales Agent with Anna Godas

    40:30 Case Studies: A Breakdown of Film Financing

    57:00 Q&A

    01:08 Case Studies: A Breakdown of Film Financing with Jessica Devaney

    01:50 Q&A

    02:01 Entry Points for Funding and Distribution Support with Carrie Lozano, Sundance & Noland

    Walker, ITVS

    02:23 How to Pitch Your Story in Meetings with Carrie Lozano and Noland Walker

    02:57 Q&A

    03:03 Closing Announcements



Sundance Collab Master Classes are open and free of charge to all members as a live event. Sessions are recorded and posted within 24 hours to the event page, where it will be available to all members for 48 hours. After that, on-demand access to the recording is available only to Creator+ and Course Pass members. Sign up today to get a free 30-day trial Creator+ Membership.

Panelist
Jessica Devaney (they/she) is a Brooklyn-based producer and Founder & President of Multitude Films. Her latest films include LOWNDES COUNTY AND THE ROAD TO BLACK POWER, presented by Participant (Peacock); Emmy-nominated Netflix Original PRAY AWAY, executive produced by Ryan Murphy and Blumhouse; Oscar-shortlisted CALL CENTER BLUES (Topic Studios); and APART, a NAACP- and Emmy-nominated episode of the series THROUGH OUR EYES (HBO Max). She also produced Sundance Award-winning ALWAYS IN SEASON (Independent Lens), THE FEELING OF BEING WATCHED (POV), dubbed “a real-world conspiracy thriller” by Variety, Critics' Choice Documentary Award-nominated SPEED SISTERS (Netflix), and Peabody-nominated ROLL RED ROLL (POV, Netflix), among others. Her films have been programmed at top festivals including Sundance, SXSW, Tribeca, BlackStar, and Telluride. Jessica founded QueerDoc and was a Sundance Institute Documentary Edit and Story Lab fellow, Women at Sundance fellow, and Sundance Institute Creative Producing Lab advisor. She received DOC NYC and Topic Studios' inaugural 40 Under 40 Award, Cinereach Producers Award, and Doc10’s inaugural Vanguard Award. more...
Panelist
Anna is CEO of Dogwoof. The company had its first release in 2005, and since then, Anna has steered the company from a small indie film distributor to a leading global brand in the field of documentary, with theatrical distribution, sales, and production. In 2011, Anna was directly responsible for the creation of Dogwoof's international sales arm. Presently, Anna is focusing on growing Dogwoof's production and development side, via the production fund TDog Productions, investing in feature-length documentaries, documentary series and remake options. Her mission is to create a fully integrated true stories mini-studio. Anna was born in Barcelona, Spain. She has an Executive MBA, and MAs in film production and screenwriting. more...
Panelist
Carrie Lozano is the Director of the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film Program and Artist Programs, and is an award winning documentary filmmaker and journalist. Prior to Sundance, she was director of the International Documentary Association's Enterprise Documentary and Pare Lorentz funds, where she supported more than 60 diverse films and filmmakers at the intersection of documentary and journalism, including WELCOME TO CHECHNYA, A THOUSAND CUTS, and THROUGH THE NIGHT. more...
Panelist
Noland Walker is Content VP at ITVS where he oversees the organization’s talent and project cultivation, develops a portfolio of programs, and providing editorial and production support to a broader slate of ITVS films. He co-programs the award-winning INDEPENDENT LENS series and was an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker prior to coming to ITVS. more...

Join the Discussion